Bermuda Braces For Hit From 'extremely Dangerous' Hurricane Nicole

MIAMI, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Oct, 2016 ) - Hurricane Nicole closed in on Bermuda as an "extremely dangerous" storm, US weather forecasters said Thursday, just hours before it was due to hit the tiny British territory.

At its peak overnight, Nicole was a Category Four, one shy of the top intensity level on the Saffir-Simpson scale, before being downgraded a notch. "We are now experiencing sustained 50 knot winds with hurricane force gusts and are yet to get into the eye wall proper," minister for national security Jeffrey Baron told AFP.

"Bermuda has a very long history of navigating through serious storms and hurricanes. We are a very resilient population and when we are faced with a serious storm, Bermudians band together in the face of adversity.

We are very proud of that. "The public have heeded the weather warnings and advisories, they have been helping and supporting each other and I have been extremely encouraged by their level of awareness and preparedness for Hurricane Nicole." The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said Nicole currently is churning in the Atlantic with maximum sustained winds of 125 miles (205 kilometers) per hour.

At 1200 GMT, Nicole was about 55 miles (85 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda barreling toward the northeast at around 15 miles (24 kilometers) per hour. The hurricane was expected to pass over or near the archipelago by late morning, according to forecasters, who said Bermuda already had been buffeted overnight by tropical storm conditions.

"Although a gradual weakening is forecast, Nicole is expected to be at major hurricane strength when it moves near Bermuda later today," the NHC said. Authorities in Bermuda closed schools and government offices on Wednesday.

Buildings were boarded up as heavy wind and rain hit the islands, and airlines have canceled flights to the islands.

"I believe we are generally ready for it," local media reported Premier Michael Dunkley as saying.

"Now we just have to hope and pray for the best." The tiny archipelago, just 21 square miles (54 square kilometers), was dwarfed by the massive system, whose eye -- set to pass near the island later Thursday -- was bigger than the entire country, according to meteorologists.

Rain and powerful gusts began hitting early Thursday, though many noted that the island's famous tree frogs, tiny amphibians whose high-pitched chirping is the soundtrack to Bermuda nights, were still singing even as the wind reached tropical storm force.

"It's loud out there. Nicole is here," wrote resident Katura Horton-Perinchief on Facebook. Up to 2,000 people had lost power before 9:00 am, local media reported, a significant number in a country with a population of around 65,000.

High-profile Bermudians overseas were also watching nervously. "Sending prayers to my island @Bermuda," tweeted Shiona Turini, recently profiled by the New York Times as stylist to singer Solange Knowles.

"Hurricane Nicole may be a category 4 but we're tiny and strong." "Stay safe everyone!" tweeted world champion triathlete Flora Duffy. The NHC warned that a dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as six to eight feet (two to 2.5 meters) above normal tide levels, accompanied by "large and destructive" waves.

It said Nicole is expected to produce rainfall of five to eight inches (10 to 20 centimeters) over Bermuda. The hurricane will also spread surf swells north along the east coast of the United States over the next few days, and could also spawn tornadoes, it said.

Last week, Hurricane Matthew, caused massive devastation in Haiti and other Caribbean countries before sweeping up the US southeast coast.